The Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service will yet again kick into action to support SMEs looking to secure work on Programme and Project Partners’ latest £182m framework.

PPP launched the scaffolding, insulation, and painting frameworks (KDP7) on Friday, April 29 with businesses hoping to become Key Delivery Partners (KDP) having to submit Expression of Interest by Friday, May 6.

Click here to read PPP’s press release.

The work is being awarded through PPP’s pioneering Multi Project Procurement commercial model – a fresh approach to delivering work on the Sellafield site that aims to drive cost savings, certainty of delivery and rewards supply chains that achieve stipulated project outcomes. Huge emphasis is also placed on local employment, upskilling the local workforce, along with financial and social investment in Cumbria.

The Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service’s role is to broker introductions and develop relationships between those bidding for KDP status and high performing SMEs able and willing to invest in the region. It is being delivered by Solomons Europe working in partnership with PPP.

To date, 26 Heads of Terms agreed between Key Delivery Partners and SMEs with support from the Service. These have been for KDP3 - Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), KDP4 - Electrical & Instrumentation and KDP5 - Mechanical Pipework, while more are in the pipeline for the Fabrication and manufacturing Good/ Services Agreement (GSA1).

So far, 108 SMEs have completed the Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service questionnaire, which is used to grade SMEs. The Service produces a profile for those graded Gold and Silver. These are used as an opening introduction to KDP bidders with the aim of helping to secure Heads of Terms and a contract for the SME.

For more information on the Swimming with the Big Fish SME Matchmaker Service process click here.